Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian admits 'many problems' amid US sanctions campaign

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged on Sunday, 23 August, that the Islamic Republic is facing severe societal and economic distress following the imposition of a new wave of United States sanctions. In a speech broadcast on state television, Pezeshkian stated that the government is attempting to mitigate these challenges as the country enters what he described as a full-scale economic and security war. US Sanctions and Economic Pressure The President’s remarks follow a recent vow by the United States to accelerate the economic collapse of the Iranian administration through a targeted sanctions campaign. Pezeshkian specifically identified US President Donald Trump as the architect of "crushing and terrifying" measures aimed at isolating Iran’s economy from global markets. The Iranian leader stated that his administration is currently focused on addressing hyper-inflation, rising unemployment, and the erosion of domestic purchasing power. Economic instability has previously served as a catalyst for domestic unrest. In December 2025, protests regarding the rising cost of living escalated into nationwide demonstrations. During that period of unrest, Iranian authorities reported more than 3,000 deaths and attributed the violence to foreign interference from the United States and Israel. Internal Stability and Nuclear Policy The admission of these "many problems" comes at a critical juncture for Tehran. While the government claims to be striving to secure the future…